THIS EPISODE:
We begin a new series "Wait For It" looking at several of the scriptural narratives that offer us hope in this season of Advent. We consider the Messiah most expected vs. who he really is.
When Jesus first came, many desired a Messiah to lead them against the Romans, not a prophet telling them to repent.
And even today, we mostly look for a functional Messiah to help us with immediate needs, political threats & personal ambitions—someone to repair our structures, systems & leaders, not someone to reshape our lives.
Let's unpack this and more in today's message…
PRIMARY TEXT:
Galatians 4:4
4 When the time came to completion, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
Mark 1:4-8
4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. 6 John wore a camel-hair garment with a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, “One who is more powerful than I am is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Mark 1:14-15
14 After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God: 15 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Isaiah 40:3-5
A voice of one crying out:
Prepare the way of the Lord in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. 4 Every valley will be lifted up, and every mountain and hill will be leveled; the uneven ground will become smooth and the rough places, a plain.
5 And the glory of the Lord will appear, and all humanity together will see it, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
